Blake Hague joined the ORC team in April 2018 as an HBOT technician. His contagious smile and positive attitude that were noticeable the day he walked in for his interview have remained every day he walks through our doors. His compassion and caring that he treats patients with is what our clients rave about, old and young. It takes a special touch when working with some of our kids and Blake was recently mentioned from a mom of a child with autism. “He loves going into HBOT and especially with Blake there to play with him as he’s getting ready to go in.”

Blake is known as the go-to guy whenever someone needs help. You’ve probably seen him shoveling snow, salting the sidewalks, or building furniture. He always comes to work early and exemplifies the meaning of loving what you do.

Aside from being an EMT and Hyperbaric Technician extraordinaire by day, Blake is also a Firefighter and instructor. Join us in congratulating Blake for this outstanding recognition.

ORC’s Soaring Butterfly Award is given in recognition of an employee’s commitment to excellence, team effort, and exemplifying our core values.

At Oxford Recovery Center, we believe that most diseases are the result of two basic principles: deficiency and toxicity. Our physical bodies are the result of ~18,000 genes expressing and unfolding themselves into hormones, enzymes, and structural proteins since the very beginning of life. Our approach starts with analyzing genetic limitations called polymorphisms (genes that can have multiple forms) along with neurotransmitter levels (how well the body is relaying messages) and create a therapeutic plan, which is tailored around the results of the tests. We believe that nurturing DNA with the proper elements will give the body an opportunity to repair itself. Our approach is results-driven and based on a plethora of research.

What makes Oxford Recovery Center different?

Where traditional medicine ends, we are just getting started. Our genes are constantly expressing themselves. We have identified patterns in chronic disease that have not responded to traditional approaches. These patterns include problems with the body’s ability to detoxify, manage neurotransmitter production and breakdown, as well as muscular health and cellular repair. In short, we are looking for the root causes in every disease. These are often revealed in the body’s genetic blueprint. We then find solutions while we educate our patients about what exactly is happening.

What kind of testing we offer

Here at Oxford Recovery Center, we look at the individual’s genetic methylation pathways. Put simply, these pathways allow us to identify genetic variations that may lead to inflammation and disease. Our genetic makeup provides the clues for restoring balance and regeneration. We are targeting key genes, which are vital for processes like detoxification, cellular repair, and proper brain function. We also correlate these results with neurotransmitter levels (how well neurons are relaying messages) and create a detailed and customized plan for addressing the root causes.

How do we treat these genetic variations and neurotransmitter imbalances?

Just like fuel is required to run your car, humans require vitamins and nutrients for optimal genetic performance. Once we have a identified a patient’s key genes and how they function and a glimpse into their brain’s neurotransmission, we use specific nutrients as building blocks for genetic unfolding. This is precisely customized for each individual.

I’ve tried so many things. Why would this help?

Since Oxford Recovery Center uses a multi-faceted approach, we are able to converge our other cutting-edge technologies, such as Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy, Neurofeedback, Neurophysical/suit therapy, nutrition coaching, and applied behavior analysis. All of these therapies allow us to look at the healing aspect from every angle possible. The effect of multiple therapies working together is greater than the effects of them individually. This is how synergy works. When we correct deficiencies and remove toxicities, we can polish up rusty chemical reactions that occur naturally and help the reversal of disease. Most of us here at ORC have our own story of how disease has impacted our lives. Because of this, we are results-driven and as passionate as you are about restoring your health.

ORC launched its ARTS program in April of 2018. Our unique approach to autism has been a huge success. We hear story after story of pleased parents, children with new friendships, siblings playing together, children doing better in school and integrating into their communities.

Casey launched our ABA program which was one of the therapies in our synergistic approach to autism. When she joined our team a year ago, we could tell like us, she had a different vision for children; one that saw them overcoming their challenges and becoming more involved in their communities. We knew she was the perfect fit for the ORC team. Joined with her colleagues, the team worked together child by child to develop a program that would impact them most.

A natural leader and a visionary, Diskin developed processes to ensure that each child receives the right services for their best possible outcomes. She has created amazing programs that have been implemented and new programs that are soon to be launched.

“When I started, I wasn’t even sure I knew what Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy was. Now I see it and how it works to help children with autism” states Diskin. “Our ARTS team is pretty amazing. While recovery looks different for every client, it does mean that everyone is improving in their individual skills, health, and quality of life. This is what ARTS does for its clients and their families. I want us to do even more for a bigger population. We see so many older kids and young adults come to us. They need our services too,” she continued.

Casey assumed the role overseeing our ARTS program in February this year. She will continue to work with the entire leadership team to enhance and grow our program. We believe autism is recoverable and it takes dedication and passionate team to make that happen.

]]>How to Stay Healthy During Cold and Flu Seasonhttps://oxfordrecoverycenter.com/how-to-stay-healthy-during-cold-and-flu-season/
Mon, 11 Feb 2019 21:52:02 +0000https://oxfordrecoverycenter.com/?p=13059Tips for staying healthy during cold and flu season in Michigan. Includes a recipe for Master Tonic (Fire Cider), a traditional immune-boosting tonic.

]]>In the span of ten days between the end of January and beginning of February, temperatures in southeast Michigan swung from -30°F to 55°F, then back to 0°F. Scratchy throats, stomach bugs, and runny noses soon set in for area residents. Natural health remedies can help.

Many people notice that they get sick in the wake of dramatic temperatures changes. This intuitive knowing is confirmed by scientific studies that demonstrate that flu epidemics almost always follow a drop in air humidity. Cold weather also means more indoor activities, with people cooped up inside and germs more likely to spread.

An optimally functioning immune system (a collection of structures and processes within the body) is the body’s best defense against colds and flu. Healthy lifestyle choices are essential for maintaining well-being in a world where environmental toxins and emotional stressors conspire to weaken immunity.

Lifestyle Choices for Boosting Immunity Naturally

Avoid Toxins

Toxic chemicals and electromagnetic radiation impair immune function. It is impossible to avoid all toxins, so it is important to limit exposure wherever possible.

Stretch and Move

Regular exercise increases immune function. Moderate exercise increases white blood cells and makes them more active and effective. However, excessive exercise, such as running a marathon, temporarily hinders immune function. Aim for 20 – 30 minutes of exercise most days. If you are already sick, it’s best to wait to exercise until you feel well.

Three easy tips for moving to boost immune function:

Walk outside for 20 minutes.

Do two 10-minute sessions of exercises that stimulate the lymphatic system, such as squats, marching in place, or jumping on a trampoline.

Practice yoga or qi gong — or simply stretch your body as feels good to you.

Reduce Stress

Depression, anxiety, and emotional stress stimulate the secretion of adrenal hormones, which suppress the activity of the thymus gland and white blood cells. Even the best food choices and exercise habits cannot overcome the effects of constant stress on your body.

Three easy tips for stress reduction:

Slow down and notice your breath. Just three long, conscious breaths will noticeably reduce stress in your body. (Try it now.)

Get a massage. Take a class. Have dinner with a friend. Or do whatever brings you joy for at least an hour each week.

Write in a journal. Writing about stressful incidents and situations improves immune function. And making a list of everything that’s good in your life can shift your spirits.

Sleep More

Deep, consistent sleep is essential for optimal immune function. If you’re not in bed early enough and long enough, your body is unable to detoxify the day’s buildup of mental and physical stresses. During deep, restful sleep, the body releases immune-enhancing compounds and produces disease-fighting white blood cells.

Three easy tips for better sleep:

Eat your last meal of the day by 6:00 p.m., or at least three hours before bedtime.

Turn off cell phones, tablets, and routers an hour before bed, and read, meditate, or talk to your loved ones.

Go to bed at the same time every night.

Support Immune Function with Master Tonic

Master Tonic, sometimes called Fire Cider, is an excellent food-based immune system builder. Anecdotal reports give Master Tonic credit for minimizing symptoms and duration of colds and flu (and for preventing these common ailments when the tonic is taken regularly), for improving a spectrum of digestive health issues, and for boosting energy levels and mood.

A basic recipe follows. Some people like to add their favorite immune-boosting herbs, such as echinacea, to the mix. Some add turmeric with the other roots. While a blender may be used to chop the roots, I recommend hand-chopping as pureeing produces a cloudy, unappealing liquid.

Ingredients

1 part chopped garlic cloves

1 part chopped white onions, or the hottest onions available

1 part grated ginger root (If pregnant, omit ginger)

1 part grated horseradish root

1 part chopped jalapenos, habeneros, or a combination of the hottest peppers available

Preparation

Fill a glass jar 3/4 of the way full with equal parts of the freshly chopped or grated ingredients. Cover completely with raw apple cider vinegar. Let sit in a cool, dark spot for two weeks. Strain liquids from solids after steeping.

Solids may used in salad dressings or marinades, added to bone broth, or discarded.

Master Tonic lasts indefinitely at room temperature, after straining.

Usage

Master Tonic spicy, potent, and aromatic. An easy way to take a dose (1 – 2 ounces) is to put it in a shot glass and swallow quickly. If you have a sore throat, you may put it in your mouth, swish around, gargle, and swallow. If you’re fighting an infection, take the tonic five to six times per day.

We are excited to welcome Kelly Hartigan who is launching our new speech therapy program here at Oxford Recovery Center. Kelly received her Bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University and her Master’s degree from The George Washington University. Both children and adults will benefit from our speech therapy program.

Speech Programs for Children

As an additional offering for our ARTS program (Autism Recovery Thru Synergy), our Speech Therapy will be play or academic based, depending on the child’s age and specific needs. Other conditions that will benefit from this offering include children with delayed speech-language development, cerebral palsy and genetic disorders. Children going through our speech therapy program often experience an improvement in their ability to put words together, communicate their wants/needs, and initiate social interactions to engage with their family and peers.

Speech Programs for Adults

Our programs for adults will augment our offerings for stroke, traumatic brain injury, dementia, head-neck cancer, Parkinson’s disease and other neurological diseases. Outcomes for these patients include preparing the individual to get back to work, improving their memory skills, swallowing, to being able to manage their own medication.

Kelly holds a certification in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT-LOUD) typically used for patients with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological diseases. This is an intensive one-on-one treatment that focuses on vocal loudness, breath support, voice quality, intonation, speech articulation and facial expression.

Most people know of someone who has had a concussion or have even had one themselves. If you are an athlete in a high impact sport, odds are you have had one. Because concussions happen so frequently, there is a common misconception that they aren’t that big of a deal. You just, “got your bell rung.” In reality, a concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury and it changes the way the brain normally works. And most concussions happen without a loss of consciousness. Typically, once you have had one, you are more likely to get another one.

Because they are an internal injury, they can be extremely tricky to diagnose. Though you may have a visible cut, bruise, or lump on your head, you can’t see a concussion. Serious effects of the injury may not appear for days or weeks and some symptoms can last for just seconds. Some concussions have symptoms that linger for weeks, months, or even years, sometimes leading to life-altering physical, mental, and emotional disorders.

The standard approach to treating concussions is to watch and wait. The problem with this is that when it comes to concussions, the sooner the treatment, the quicker the healing. While concussion symptoms may improve through simply resting, they could also worsen. So why take the risk?

No physical injury can heal without oxygen and the same applies for the brain. If a patient can be treated with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy within 48 hours of the injury, the improvement of symptoms is most ideal. However, dramatic improvement of symptoms is possible even years after the injury occurred.

In an HBOT chamber, the patient breathes 100% pure oxygen and air pressure is raised above normal atmospheric pressure. Normal air only has oxygen levels of 21% so the difference is dramatic. As patients breathe normally in the chamber, their lungs absorb increased amounts of oxygen. Super-oxygenated blood is carried throughout the body. This initiates and supports the body processes that help the brain recover and ultimately improve the symptoms of a concussion.

In 2012 and 2013, Joe Namath underwent 120 session of HBOT because he noticed problems from concussions he’d incurred throughout his football career. Namath was so impressed with the results that he is raising money for a study on using HBOT to heal brain injuries.

Rebecca Horning began working with children diagnosed with autism in 2014 as she was finishing her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan-Flint. She instantly fell in love with these children and the work became a passion she’s pursued ever since.

Hired in April as a Behavior Technician, Becca was one of the first members of the ABA team at Oxford Recovery Center. With her easy smile and can-do attitude, she quickly became indispensable.

Many mornings, Becca can be seen leading one of our beloved ABA clients by the hand or guiding their therapies. Kindness and gentleness radiate from her as she shares smiles and encouraging words with everyone she encounters.

And while Becca shines in her role as Lead ABA Tech, her talents and contributions extend to other areas of the company. Soon after she began assisting previous Soaring Butterfly winner Andrew McMullen in Neurofeedback, becoming proficient in this healing modality. Unsatisfied with knowing the basics, she researched neurofeedback software and is arranging additional neurofeedback training for all ORC neurofeedback technicians.

When ORC began a complex upgrade to a new electronic health record system, Becca again stepped up. She single-handedly built the forms that allow for optimal record-keeping in the ABA center and in other areas of the company.

Becca’s propensity for getting things done, and getting them done right, is so well-known and appreciated, that the ABA team made her name a verb.

“Because she’s so organized and good at fixing things, when we need something done, we say it needs to be ‘Beccaed’,” explains Lead BCBA Alaina Voller. “We love her.”

Passionate, enthusiastic, and caring, Becca Horning is an example and inspiration to all of us at Oxford Recovery Center. She is the perfect individual to receive our Soaring Butterfly Award.

ORC’s Soaring Butterfly Award is given in recognition of an employee’s commitment to excellence, team effort, and exemplifying our core values.

Are you unable to move the way you used to? Do you feel as though you are held back from doing the things you love because your body is failing you? Well, January is right around the corner, which means it’s a great time to invest in a new you! Whether you’re 83 and having trouble moving or you’re just trying to improve your golf swing, or you’re anywhere in between, Neuromuscular Therapy is a great way to kick off your new years goals.

Our board certified trainer Denise David has a background in Occupational Therapy combined with training in a spectrum of modalities to help put your body in symphony. She has worked with everyone from Olympic athletes to those affected by stroke and TBI and she is passionate about recovery. She believes that what you do today is how you are tomorrow.

Working one on one with her, you will learn to engage specific muscles in your body from your head all the way to your toes. Not only will you be training your body to work in symphony, but you will be getting a great low impact workout as well.

“The beauty of this therapy is in its ability to improve how you feel in your own body,” says Denise. The goal is to get back to the way you are supposed to move so that you can continue to do the things you love.

With Neuromuscular Therapy, the neuromuscular system itself is being trained for a response, allowing the promotion of other motor fibers. Put simply, better alignment, better core strength, and better flexibility!

Here at Oxford Recovery Center, we believe that a person’s body should not be their limitation. This is why Neuromuscular Therapy is amongst our many synergistic therapies. This dynamic therapy builds core strength so the body’s muscles move in symphony. It strengthens deep muscles from the “inside out” which can address pain, balance the body, increase strength, and improve flexibility.

Some of the benefits include the strengthening of muscles without overstraining or damaging joints, the relief of back pain, the strengthening of pain-inhibiting muscles, and reduction of pain from overcompensation. Neuromuscular Therapy also improves posture and balance.

Through the use of a special device called a reformer, you will be able to retrain incorrect movement patterns that lead to pain and replace them with correct movements. The exercises are done in a variety of positions in order to unload pressure in joints and build muscle strength starting with the core and moving outward.

Everybody is different. So, every approach should be different. Here at Oxford Recovery Center, we understand this and that is why Neuromuscular Therapy fits perfectly into our synergistic system of therapies. Denise will approach your sessions based on your individual goals and design a program accordingly. There is no one size fits all method.

So, if you feel as though you would like to embark on your journey to a new you, schedule an appointment with Denise David and discover how good you can feel.

]]>A Synergistic Healing Approach for Autoimmune Diseasehttps://oxfordrecoverycenter.com/a-synergistic-healing-approach-for-autoimmune-disease/
Fri, 09 Nov 2018 19:47:28 +0000https://oxfordrecoverycenter.com/?p=12214Some of the better-known autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, and lupus. The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) estimates that 50 million Americans (almost 1 in 5) suffer from one or more of the 140+ diseases classified as autoimmune. That’s approximately double the number of people who suffer from heart disease and four times the number of people affected by cancer.

]]>Debilitating fatigue, brain fog, and mysterious joint pain. Rashes, hives, and unexplained itching. Muscle weakness, rapid heartbeat, and diarrhea. These seemingly unrelated symptoms have become so common that they are accepted as normal. It seems that everyone is exhausted, stressed out, and anxious or depressed. Many people also suffer from food-triggered digestive issues. But common and normal are not the same thing. The body is not supposed to attack its own cells, tissues, and organs, yet this is exactly what happens in autoimmune disease.

Some of the better-known autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, and lupus. The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) estimates that 50 million Americans (almost 1 in 5) suffer from one or more of the 140+ diseases classified as autoimmune. That’s approximately double the number of people who suffer from heart disease and four times the number of people affected by cancer.

Further complicating the perplexing nature of these diseases, it is not always known whether autoimmune dysfunction is the cause or consequence of the presenting disease. For example, asthma and eczema are believed to be triggered by autoimmune conditions, yet seem to be surface problems.
Mainstream medicine offers few solutions for autoimmune disease, generally providing only palliative care. But at Oxford Recovery Center, we take a synergistic approach. Combining hyperbaric oxygen therapy, nutrition coaching, and medical consultation, we guide patients in restoring health.

The Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Treating Autoimmune Conditions

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) can be a powerful tool for treating autoimmune disease. HBOT is a clinical treatment where the patient breathes 100% oxygen while enclosed in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber at a pressure greater than one and a half (1.5 ata) atmosphere.

At pressures greater than normal, the body can incorporate more oxygen into blood cells, blood plasma, cerebrospinal fluid and other body fluids. The increased oxygen absorption experienced during HBOT boosts stem cell production 800% and enhances the body’s ability to heal itself. Known effects of HBOT include reduced inflammation, healing of infections and repair of damaged tissues. Raising oxygen levels in tissues where they have been lowered due to illness or injury encourages blood vessel growth, reduces swelling and supports the immune system. These effects provide significant symptomatic relief and delayed or decreased progression of disease.

The Role of Nutrition in Autoimmune Disease

Autoimmune disorders are exacerbated by disorders in the gut. They are also very responsive to dietary changes. When individuals suffering from autoimmune diseases implement healing diets, improvements (often dramatic) in physical and psychological health result.

The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) is a sophisticated elimination diet where foods known to cause inflammation and immune dysregulation are avoided, while nutrient-dense foods that support the body in healing itself are consumed. The AIP is composed of both an elimination phase and a reintroduction phase. Beginning such an intense diet can be overwhelming. Support from a nutrition coach can make the difference between frustration and success.
There is no single best lifestyle and diet for autoimmune disease. Each individual must learn how specific foods affect their symptoms, find foods that promote healing, and eliminate those that destroy their health.

Medical Testing and Autoimmune Disease

Autoimmune Disease is complex and multi-layered. Doctors don’t agree on which diseases fall under the autoimmune umbrella and how to treat them.

A medical professional who knows how to look for root causes of disease offers the best hope for recovery. A variety of factors influence health and disease, including genetics, environmental toxin exposures, vitamin deficiencies, infection, stress, and sleep. Testing is often the only way to quantify and understand these confounding factors so that an appropriate treatment strategy may be designed.

At Oxford Recovery Center, the medical team is constantly researching and innovating to determine approaches that will help patients restore health. With millions of Americans affected by autoimmune diseases, we’ve developed protocols for best outcomes, which include HBOT, genetic testing, medical consultation, and nutrition coaching.

Taking Charge of Your Health

The World Health Organization defines health as a State of complete physical, mental, and social well being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. It is empowering to know that we can take charge of our own health. While there are no magic bullets, what we choose to eat, how we manage stress, and the healing modalities we select for ourselves and our families play a huge role in our health and well-being.

In deciding how to deal with an autoimmune disease or a collection of symptoms that point to a related condition, trust your inner guidance. Articles or therapies often cross our paths for a reason. At the same time, it is prudent to determine if they are right for us by doing further research. Knowledge is power. Read, learn, and ask questions. Restoring your health can be a joyful process, especially with support from caring professionals.

Founded in 2008, Oxford Recovery Center is an innovative therapy organization that promotes healing through a variety of research-based therapies tailored to individual needs. While traditional therapies limit people to living with their condition, Oxford’s therapies promote healing and recovery. Oxford offers a variety of programs that strive to create a lifestyle of wellness, improved health and quality of life, including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Nutrition Coaching, Medical Consultation, and Laboratory Testing.

Alex and Liam are brothers. Though both charming and generally happy, they had never played together before joining Oxford Recovery Center’s ARTS program.

“Before starting the ARTS program, they would sit on opposite sides of the room,” says their mother. “I had to run from one to the other to get them to engage in play.” Then, just a few weeks after starting the ARTS program, ABA director Casey Diskin snapped the photo at the top of this post.

Now, the boys play together and interact with other kids. We love to see their progress here at the center.

Alex, the oldest, started in the ABA program in June and his brother Liam followed in July. Though Alex attended an early-on program and received speech therapy, he’d made minimal gains. After a few weeks at Oxford Recovery Center, his speech grew from 35 words to over 200. His extreme tantrums disappeared and he enjoys interacting with friends and staff.

When Liam joined our program, he made no sounds and did not point. He played repetitively with a very limited number of toys. But after a few weeks of ABA, Liam was making sounds and pointing to what he wants. He was even starting to say “no” at appropriate times. He engages in parallel play and tolerates group activities.

In addition to ABA, Alex is receiving HBOT and his mother met with our Medical Director and Nutrition Coach. She diligently implemented suggested dietary changes for both boys and pursued testing for Alex to gain insights into her son’s conditions. When asked what she believes to be causing the changes, she replied, “I think it’s everything together, the food, the HBOT, the speech therapy, and the ABA. After going through these therapies, I am starting to see changes.” She explained that because Alex is the oldest, they are trying the therapies on him first. And because he is responding so well to Oxford’s synergistic apporach, she will soon be adding the therapies to Liam’s regiment.

She went on to share stories of her boys playing at the park together for the first time and how their personalities are starting to come out as they try to be funny. “The other day my husband had corn chips in his hand and Alex pointed in the other direction to distract his daddy and then stole the chips right out of his hand,” she laughed. “For a parent with a kid without disabilities, you think moments like that are nothing. But to us, those things are huge. They are the motivation to keep doing what we are doing.”

Alex and Liam’s parents are not the only ones to notice the boys’ improvement. “The other day at school, Liam pointed to a book and said, “aba, aba,” she explained. He doesn’t talk at all and his teacher was almost in tears.” When talking about her family she said, “My mom hasn’t seen them since April. She’s coming next month and I can’t wait for her to see their changes. When other people don’t see them very often and then they see them, it’s awesome.”

Watching the boys grow into their personalities and blossom into playful young children is the greatest reward of all. We are so excited about their progress here at the center and we cannot wait to see where they go from here.

“Every time I talk to parents about ABA, I tell them about this place because it’s really hard to find people who care,” she explained. “I see the difference from the other places I have taken them. At other places, they see them as just another kid, but here, it’s personal.”

Creating a personal approach and treating each child and family like our own family is exactly what we strive for every day at Oxford. We have grown to love these two boys and it is amazing to watch them change and grow. We look forward to their bright futures, but for now, we love just watching them play with each other on the seesaw.